THE PREFACE OF THE PLAYERS.

PREFIXED TO THE FIRST FOLIO EDITION PUBLISHED IN 1623.

TO THE GREAT VARIETY OF READERS.

From the most able, to him that can but spell: office of their care and paine, to have collected there you are number'd. We had rather you and publish'd them; and so to have publish'd were weigh'd. Especially when the fate of all them, as where (before) yon were abus'd with Bookes depends upon your capacities: and not divers stolne, and surreptitious copies, maimed of your heads alone, but of your purses. Well! and deformed by the frauds and stealthes of it is now publique, and you will stand for your injurious impostors, that expos'd them: event priviledges wee know: to read, and censure. those are now offer'd to your view cur'd, and Do so, but buy it first. That doth best commend perfect of their limbes; and all the rest, absolute a Booke, the Stationer saies. Then, how odde in their numbers, as he conceived them: Who, soever your braines be, or your wisedomes, as he was a happie imitator of Nature, was a make your licence the same, and spare not. most gentle expresser of it. His mind and hand Judge your sixe-pen'orth, your shillings worth, went together: and what he thought, he uttered your five shillings worth at a time, or higher, with easinesse, that wee have searse received so you rise to the just rates, and welcome. But, from him a blot in his papers. But it is not our whatever, you do, Buy. Censure will not drive province, who onely gather his works, and give a Trade, or make the Jacke go. And though them you, to praise him. It is yours that reade you be a Magistrate of wit, and sit on the Stage him. And there we hope, to your divers capaat Black-Friers or the Cockpit, to arraigne cities, you will finde enough, both to draw, and Playes dailie, know, these Playes have had hold you for his wit can no more lie hid, then their triall alreadie, and stood out all Appeales; it could be lost. Read him, therefore; and and do now come forth quitted rather by a againe, and againe: And if then you doe no Decree of Court, than any purchas'd Letters of like him, surely you are in some manifest dan commendation. ger, not to understand him. And so we leave It had bene a thing, we confesse, worthie to you to other of his Friends. whom if you need, nave bene wished, that the Author himselfe had can bee your guides: if you neede them not, you lived to have set forth, and overseen his owne can leade yourselves, and others. And such writings; But since it hath bin ordain'd other-readers we wish him. wise, and he by death departed from that right, we pray you, doe not envie his Friends the

JOHN HEMINGE,
HENRY CONDELL

avo ALL the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits, and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being SEVEN AGES.

Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon's mouth:

With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side;
His youthful hose well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in its sound: